Sun shines on the first Montrose Triathlon

Montrose Triathlon was a success

Published:15:00Thursday 05 June 2014

The first ever Montrose Triathlon has been hailed a success and there are talks of it becoming an annual sporting event.

It was organised by social enterprise Tri Angus and attracted a large number of people who were inspired to try the sport, with more than half of the entrants making their triathlon debut in Montrose on Sunday (June 1).

The tri offered participants of all abilities a sporting challenge with both a novice and sprint race.

The event was full to capacity a number of weeks before registration was due to close and saw 180 competitors register to take up the challenge.

Maggie Lawrie, Tri Angus director, said: “It has been a fantastic event and after all the hard work of organising everything it was great to see everyone really enjoy themselves and feel proud of their achievements at the finish line.

“The event has received great support from a number of local businesses and without them this event just wouldn’t be possible.

“The same goes for the number of volunteers who turned up to help with a whole host of different tasks. I have been overwhelmed by the response and would like to say a huge thank you to everyone.

“The Tri Angus team are definitely keen to welcome everyone back to the event again next year and are looking into the possibility of adding a second race to the calendar. The dates haven’t been set just yet but make sure you follow us on Facebook and Twitter to be first to enter.”

The sprint event put some of the more experienced participants through their paces but it was Rory Fairbairn from Broughty Ferry racing for M3 Tri Club who posted the fasted time of the day to clinch the first male title. Ruth Hindshaw from St Andrew’s was the winner of the first female title in the sprint event.

The winner of the female novice race was Heather Milne from Forfar, whilst the novice male title went to David Culliton from Falkirk.

“Three of us travelled up to take part in our first event and we have had a great time.

“It was really the scenery that Montrose has to offer that attracted us to this particular event and it has left us wanting to come back again to race next year,” said David, who was also the winner of the novice veteran prize.

Alasdair Bruce (16) from Ballater took the youth male title and Heather Ingram (16) from Monifieth sealed the win in the youth female category.

Heather said: “I run for Dundee Hawkhill Harriers and also am a member of a swimming club but have been doing triathlons for two years now. I am pleased with how my event went today and might be back next year.”

As the official charity for the event, MacMillan Cancer handed out goody bags at the finish line.

A team of volunteers helped support the event and cheer everyone on and members of the Montrose Emergency Services Group (MESG) acted as stewards.

The triathlon received support from a number of local businesses, including Genesis, the Park and Links Hotels, MR Bikes, Angus Tyres, Agrii, NFU Mutual, Kirsty Hay Massage, Specsavers Montrose and Carnoustie Creative.

Maggie, from Arbroath, concluded: “The Tri Angus team are extremely pleased that the event has given the people of Angus an opportunity to get involved in the sport of triathlon and that it inspired so many people to enter their first event.

“There is talk of creating a new club in Montrose now, so the only way is up from here.”